One of the most powerful things about being a business owner is the ability to create a work environment according to your own principles. So many of us have worked within a company or organization and been disappointed by the way things were run, the way team members were treated. So, we wanted to ask some fantastic business owners and operators how they’ve gone about creating a more inclusive workplace.

Emily Hammond

Creating an inclusive workplace does so much more than we might realize. It helps build a sense of community, makes clients feel more at ease, and boosts everyone’s confidence. Reflecting on my own journey over the past nine years, I’ve seen firsthand just how impactful inclusivity can be. When I started my career, I was young and eager but often felt left out. Many colleagues were hesitant to share their knowledge, and some doubted my commitment and abilities. This made me feel isolated, despite my hard work and dedication. It was a tough lesson in how crucial inclusivity is for a positive work environment. Read more>>

Emily Collins

As a woman in the fine arts industry, more so as a metalworker and blacksmith, I immediately take into consideration the inclusivity of myself and other women in these spaces. This is a male dominated industry, especially in a welding or blacksmithing studio. My advice to create a more inclusive space would, first and foremost, be to promote the recognition of the women creators. Only about 13% of living artists being represented by galleries are women, women’s art appears less frequently than men’s at auction, and women artists earn about 47% less than men do. Displaying women’s work and promoting their achievements through galleries and exhibitions as equally as men is a straightforward solution to this. Creating safe spaces, support networks, and providing training and mentorship will elevate inclusivity as well. Safe spaces and environments can be made through open discussions and feedback. Don’t be afraid to ask a studio or workplace about their harassment policies! Furthermore, training can be done through workshops and programs that can help women connect with other professional artists to gain knowledge and support. Read more>>

Mikayla Mier

As a model and yoga instructor, there are a lot of stereotypes and expectations about what you may look like. Part of the reason that I chose to work in those fields is because I wanted to challenge myself to find success in a place where I don’t fit the mold. When I first started practicing yoga, I did notice that most of the people in that space were thin white women. I think that I was a little bit intimidated at first because I didn’t fit that description. I had a very similar experience when I first started to get into modeling. In my early days of working in both of these fields, something that stuck with me was how much of a difference it made to have others that were similar to you in the same space, especially when they had found much success in that space. Knowing that someone who also didn’t fit the mold was able to find what I wanted made it seem much more attainable for myself. Read more>>